PORTSMOUTH — The Coal Grove Hornets are getting closer.

Wednesday, April 07, 1999

PORTSMOUTH — The Coal Grove Hornets are getting closer.

The Hornets fell behind Portsmouth early, then battled back before losing 12-10 Tuesday to the Trojans.

"We didn’t quit. We battled back," said Hornets coach John Jones. "We’re playing everyone decent, we just need to put things together."

Coal Grove had 11 hits led by Brad Miller who was 3-5 and Josh Collins 2-4. Portsmouth collected 13 hits.

Coal Grove took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Miller singled home two after the Hornets loaded the bases on walks.

The Trojans came back to score five runs in the bottom of the first for a 5-2 lead.

Kyle Porter tripled, Fleming singled, Estep was safe on an error, Nelson walked, and June singled home a pair. Two wild pitches scored the last two runs.

Portsmouth got a run in the third when Stamback singled, stole second, and June singled.

Coal Grove got within 6-4 in the fourth.

Ryan Young walked, Josh Collins singled, Josh Fields walked, and Jarrod Keaton doubled home two.

The Trojans scored three in the bottom of the inning. Pendleton reached on an error, Porter and Fleming singled for a run, Nelson and June were hit by pitches forcing in a run, and Williams singled home the third run.

Coal Grove pushed across four in the sixth to make it 9-8.

Brandon Keeney walked with one out, Keaton singled, Mike Borders reached on an error to load the bases, Miller singled in a run, Dean Mader had a two-run single, and Young’s two-out singled scored Miller.

In the bottom of the inning, Nelson singled, Williams was safe on a two-base error as Nelson scored, Sword singled home Williams, and Pendleton singled home Sword to put Portsmouth up 12-8.

The Hornets wouldn’t quit as they scored two more in the seventh.

Fields singled, Keaton and Borders walked, Mader was hit by a pitch to score a run, Howie McCormick walked to score another run.

Coal Grove hosts Columbus Eastmoor Thursday.

Coal Grove 200 204 2 – 10 11 4

Portsmouth 501 303 x – 12 13 2

Jarrod Keaton and Dean Mader. Scott, June (4), Nelson (7) and Swords, Stamback (7). W-June. L-Keaton. 2B-CG: Jarrod Keaton. 3B-Portsmouth: Porter. Hitting-CG: Josh Collins 2-4, Brad Miller 3-5; Portsmouth: Porter 2-5, Fleming 4-4, June 2-3.